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1982 Suzuki GS1000SZ Katana

In Japan, Sport by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

About a decade ago, I rode up to my father-in-law’s house astride a Suzuki V-Strom 1000. He visibly recoiled at the sight of my bike and hissed, “Suzuki” in the tone one might use for a sworn enemy. “I had a Suzuki in the ’70s,” he said. “Can’t even remember the name of it, it was so boring. Nothing wrong …

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1970 Benelli Tornado 650

In Italy, Race by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

“THE GOOD THINGS in life don’t come cheap these days,” wrote Cycle World in 1972. “The Benelli 650, a pushrod Twin with electric starting and five-speed gearbox, will cost you more than $2,000 by the time it gets here from Italy.”

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2018 Alta Redshift SM

In America, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

I’m still writing up my review of the Can-Am Origin and Pulse but my time with those bikes has made me reflect on my (generally underwhelming) experience with electric motorcycles over the years. One of the few standouts was the Alta Redshift SM (supermoto), and this one’s worth a share as it’s been taken to another level thanks to a …

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1959 Cushman Super Eagle

In America, Less than 5k, Scooter by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

The 1950s seem to have been a magical period in motorcycling, when manufacturers all around the world were happily throwing everything at the wall. The Cushman Super Eagle managed to stick for a while, though not as long as its makers would have hoped. Yes, Cushman, makers of the vehicle that mall cops used to chase you with when you …

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1952 Harley-Davidson S-125

In America, Small Displacement by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Dear bike sellers: please make sure you take good photos of your bike. The cluttered, portrait-framed images of this Harley-Davidson S-125, don’t do the bike justice. But the ad’s worth noting because this is one of the best-condition S-125s I’ve ever seen. Also known as the Model 125, or ─ more colloquially, but inaccurately, a Hummer ─ the S-125 was …

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1983 Yamaha Riva XC180

In Japan, Scooter by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

I’ll admit I am not well enough versed in scooters to know by sight which model Macklemore rides through a wall in his music video for “Downtown,” but I know that this Yamaha Riva instantly made me think of it*. I also know that I agree with Macklemore’s sentiment that: “Eight-hundred cash, that’s a hell of a deal.”